Essential yoga accessories – What to consider at the beginning of your practice

Regardless of age, gender or the nature of your daily work, a regular yoga practice is great for your body and mind. This type of activity opens up space to fully focus on your breath, get to know your body, and relax from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Contrary to popular beliefs, there is more to practicing yoga than just a piece of floor. What yoga accessories will come in handy at any level, but especially at the beginning of your yoga adventure? Are we actually unable to exercise without them? How to choose the right equipment? We answer these and many other questions in this guide.

Yoga accessories for beginners – do you need any?

It is often claimed that yoga, unlike other activities, does not require any accessories to exercise. Since doing asanas is simply putting your body into specific positions, why would anyone need something but a comfortable yoga leggings, yoga sport bras, yoga tops and a good suitable place? To practice yoga comfortably, safely and in the right way – especially at the beginning of the adventure – basic accessories are necessary. Of course, various types of yoga mean that specific equipment is needed more or less, but practicing this activity without the use of basic tools can only be the domain of the greatest masters. The usage of yoga accessories is:

When choosing to practice yoga, no one even imagines that they could overload their spine or strain their joints. Performing some asanas at all costs without assistance can lead to overload and injury – remember this. Especially when we are just beginning a regular practice, our tendons and muscles need time to strengthen so that we are able to gradually and slowly deepen the positions. Using helpful tools makes it possible to fully master and control your movements, as well as your breath, which plays an important role in yoga. Without the use of basic accessories in many cases it is also impossible to talk about correct technique. Deficiencies in range of motion are often compensated by strength, which adversely affects the correctness of performed asanas and their impact on the functioning of our body and mind. The use of accessories means the comfort of the exercise – after all, yoga shouldn't be about fighting with your body.

What yoga accessories are worth looking at?

What accessories should we start with to complete our yoga equipment? Should we immediately buy all possible yoga accessories? And how to use them in a safe and correct way? One thing at a time!

A yoga mat is the basis

The basic and by far the most important piece of equipment for every yogi and every yogini is the yoga mat. Yoga is most often practiced barefoot. The mat therefore provides insulation from hard, often cold, and therefore unpleasant ground. Because of the material it is made of, the mat makes it easier to exercise because it prevents slipping. It is the layer between the exercising user and the ground. Lay it out on the floor before practice and roll it up after practice.

Yoga foams and blocks – how to use?

In many asanas, small rectangular lumps of wood, foam or cork are used as extensions of the practitioner's limbs or as body support. Using them makes it easier to perform certain positions correctly and without overloading joints and tendons. It is especially useful for beginners, but an integral part of practice for the advanced as well.

Yoga belt for stabilization

It is meant to stiffen and stabilize the body while performing certain asanas. When considering which yoga belt to choose, you should pay attention to its length, the material it is made of, and the durability of the buckle.

Yoga roller – application

Rollers, also called bolsters, are usually cloth bags filled with buckwheat. They are usually used when performing sitting or lying down positions. They are quite heavy, but they don't lack softness, and their shape is easy to adjust to your body, making it easier to individualize your practice. According to the instructor, we usually put the roller under the back, between the legs, or on the legs while sitting. This simple and extremely useful device can perform a variety of functions.

A blanket for comfort

Which yoga blanket to choose? The most ordinary one. Most importantly, it should be soft and warm. A yoga blanket is nothing more than a simple cover-up commonly used to shield your body on colder days. During practice, a blanket folded several times is usually used to raise one's posture and increase comfort. Meditation or the final part of the session known as calming is the next part of the practice when the blanket can serve its original function. The body cools down after exercise and when you are in the final stages of focusing on breathing and relaxing in a lying or sitting position, it is a good idea to cover yourself with a blanket.

A chair for support

Yes, this simple and handy piece of furniture also comes in handy when practicing yoga! When performing variations of particular asanas, it can be a stable point of support or a must-have accessory for more advanced positions. Folding chairs, which are usually lightweight, are a permanent fixture in yoga rooms.

Ropes for overhangs

Pieces of sturdy, thick rope or sections of rope attached to the wall make it easier to do overhangs and help to stretch the spine. Asanas performed in an overhang using ropes are an extremely interesting way to feel gravity in new and unexpected ways, and to see that these postures are not as difficult as they may look.

A stick to maintain a straight position

A simple wooden broomstick can come in handy when performing asanas to maintain healthy mobility of specific joints. It is most often used for exercises related to asanas emphasizing the work of the cervical and thoracic spine, shoulders and shoulder blades.

Which mat to choose?

Yoga practice rooms are often equipped with some accessories mentioned above. So coming to yoga without your own equipment, we can usually use the one available on the spot. However, it is worth getting your yoga mat not only for hygienic reasons. This is by far the most important accessory for yoga, so it's a good idea to have it properly suited to our needs. What parameters should be considered when choosing a mat?

When we buy a yoga mat, we usually choose from materials such as PVC, rubber, polyurethane, cork, jute, microfiber or thermoplastic foam. Each of them, of course, has its own specifics, but it should be enough for us to know that all of them are characterized by good insulation against the cold, non-slip surface, and multifunctionality. The classic yoga mat has dimensions around 180 × 60 cm, although we can also meet with less standard sizes. The most important thing is that we fit on the mat completely while lying down. The thickness of the mat is its degree of cushioning. Thinner mats are lighter and space-saving when traveling, but they may not be thick enough. With a thicker mat, on the other hand, you don't have to worry about inadequate cushioning, but you should expect it to be slightly heavier and larger when rolled up. The color of the mat – while seemingly not as crucial - is not insignificant. After all, we look at our mat for a long time while performing many asanas, so it's good for it to be in a color we like, or at least tolerate!

How do I clean a yoga mat?

All the materials used to produce yoga mats are easy to clean. This is an important feature, because a clean and refreshed mat is definitely more comfortable and therefore more beneficial to your yoga practice. Also, mats that are not cleaned regularly can lose their properties over time. We can use specialized yoga mat cleaners, but it is most convenient to wash it by hand with a damp cloth. This is enough to wipe off dust, sweat and dirt particles from the mat. Avoid prolonged soaking and remember not to use strong chemicals to clean. The protective mat bag will not only make transporting it easier, but also prolong its life – it guarantees additional protection against mechanical damage, as well as dirt.

Yoga dress – an important element of practice

In addition to the accessories discussed, proper yoga attire is certainly significant. Freedom of movement and soft, breathable materials guarantee a comfortable practice. Selecting comfortable and practical clothing is an issue that should not be underestimated. If you add a bottle of water, snack to some basic accessories, such as a mat, blocks, belt and work out clothes, you will also find that a small gym bag comes in handy.

Remember that properly selected yoga accessories are meant to make it easier for us to practice regularly. So before you decide to buy your own equipment, it is worth going to a yoga session at a nearby studio and try out the functionality of the various accessories yourself.